Elizabeth Mary Dunn

Mary Elizabeth Dunn, late of Pangman, SK formerly of Ogema, SK, passed away April 2, 2018 at the age of 97 years. 

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents: William and Williamina Anderson.

Elizabeth is survived by her son Bill Quirk (Kay Medland) Okanagan Falls, BC; Harvey and Sharon Dunn, Oliver, BC, Grant and Valeria Dunn, Ogema, SK, Garnet Dunn, Fort St. John, BC, Dwayne Dunn, Helena, Montana USA, Bev and Ken Klemenz, Ogema, SK and family; 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.

Betty was the only child.  She was educated in the Glasgow School system graduating with a certificate in Book Keeping.  Betty found employment as a Solicitor's Assistant/Cashier in a Glasgow law firm.  As a youth and young adult, she very much enjoyed swimming and tennis.  Her favorite times were spent with her girl friends and with her parents.  She truly loved her Mum and Dad.

During WWII, Betty was loaned to Communications with the National Fire Service.  She was in the war zone working with the Home Guard to suppress the damage caused by the war.  In addition to her Fire Service Communications work, Betty helped her parents in their efforts to making the Canadian servicemen feel more at home by inviting them in for tea, supper, or visiting. 

It was on one of those visits that Betty first met Harry Quirk.  However, their dating efforts were interrupted in 1944 until 1945 by the D Day landings and the Holland Liberation Campaign. Betty and Harry were married on October 17, 1945.  Betty received her Travel and Immigration documents in 1946.  She began her courageous solo journey to Canada first by travelling in July of that year on the Lady Nelson ocean-liner to Halifax, then travelling by train from Halifax to Regina where Harry met her, and finally by car to Moose Jaw.

Betty settled into life in the town of Moose Jaw and in June of 1947 she gave birth to William George Quirk.  The family of three had a normal prairie life and Betty returned to the paid workforce when Bill was in high school.  After Harry passed in 1967, she continued with her work as a bookkeeper with a Moose Jaw law firm until her mother passed. At that time she went to care for her grieving father.  Two years later she returned to Moose Jaw and returned to her position at the law firm.  Betty was also the volunteer bookkeeper for Zion United in Moose Jaw while Lorne Calvert was the minister. 

On joining a square/round dance group, Betty met Lorne Dunn.  On April 22, 1978 they danced all the way to the church and were married.  After their marriage, Betty relocated to Ogema, where Lorne's family farm was located.  With marrying Lorne, Betty's family grew considerably.  She loved her role as Grandmother and Great Grandmother to the Dunn and Quirk grandchildren.  She also enjoyed the many travel adventures she and Lorne went on. 

After Lorne passed in 2010, Betty remained in the house in Ogema until she moved to Deep South Care Home.  She loved the staff at the Deep South Care Home and they loved Betty as well.  Her good humor, cheerfulness, and her love of the color green were trademarks of her life.

A Service of Remembrance for Elizabeth was held Saturday, May 12, 2018 at 11:00a.m. from the Ogema United Church, Ogema, SK with Rev. SunDo Hyun officiating.  Luncheon followed  at the Ogema United Church, Ogema, SK.  A private family interment was held following the luncheon at the Rosedale Cemetery, Moose Jaw, SK.

For family and friends so wishing, in lieu of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Elizabeth may be made to the ALS Society of Saskatchewan, 90 C Cavendish Street, Regina, SK, S4N 5G7 or  the Deep South Care Home, 211 Keeler Street, Pangman, SK, S0C 2C0.

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